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BOSTON (CBS) – The Patriots are back at work at Gillette Stadium. The team's mandatory minicamp camp began Tuesday. This will give us our first look at the 2019 New England Patriots as they seek to defend their Super Bowl LIII title.
Although we do not see players on tablets or do not do what football players normally do (read: hitting each other), these sessions will give us a first glimpse of the depth of the team and young players. It's all set for the start of training camp next month. Here are some stories to follow over the next three days:
Hello Tom!
Tom Brady chose to give up the voluntary sessions again, but he reported to Gillette for the minicamp on Monday. These days will be his first participation on the field with his new teammates.
Most of them, at least. He and the first-round pick, N'Keal Harry, had a little catch at Brady's a few weeks ago (with Julian Edelman, making sure Brady did not find Binky again), but they're going now play together in Foxboro. If Harry is as good as we have heard, this will be the beginning of a promising relationship between QB and RE.
Brady will also work with the new receivers Demaryius Thomas and Dontrelle Inman, in addition to a whole series of new tight ends.
Tight ends
Rob Gronkowski enjoys a retired life, leaving a hole the size of Gronk on the tight depth chart. The Patriots filled this cavern with veterans Ben Watson and Austin Seferian-Jenkins, and fourth-year backstroke Matt LaCosse.
Watson should be familiar with the Patriots system, although that has changed a bit since his last appearance for the Patriots. All three have a lot to learn and none of them can fill the gap left by Gronkowski's retirement. But if the Pats can get away with it, they may be worried about not using Gronk's lost production elsewhere.
Brady's Blindside Protection
Trent Brown is a wealthy man in Oakland, leaving the Patriots without their left tackle and Tom Brady without his blind side protector of last year. The job should be Isaiah Wynn's job, but he was not on the field in the Patriots' mini-camp a few weeks ago. Join the surprise retirement of veteran lineman Jared Veldheer after joining the Patriots. Serious problems arise for the left striker for the new season. Joe Thuney had a race at the left tackle a few weeks ago, position he held at the university.
These things tend to be resolved, but it's a situation that needs to be monitored all summer long.
Secondary crowded
The Patriots have a strong secondary, led by veterans Stephon Gilmore, Jason McCourty, Devin McCourty and Patrick Chung. In addition to these savvy veterinarians, New England also boasts a fine collection of young players in their high school, highlighted by last year's star, J.C. Jackson. The second round pick of 2019, Joejuan Williams, was added to the selection, but the second-year duo, Duke Dawson, also proved that he deserved some playing time.
Williams could become an excellent development player for Belichick, given his size and ability to move on the field. He could spend a lot of time with Harry over the next few days.
Another Bennett
Michael Bennett is now a patriot. He still has a big pass, with nine sacks from last season, and the Patriots will need it. Trey Flowers will receive a Detroit Lions silver truck during the off season.
What will be really interesting is how Bennett manages the media now that he is in New England. He's never afraid to say what he thinks, so we'll see if the Patriots turned him into a robot sometime this week.
BONUS: Hunter fight!
We promised you a more difficult battle last summer and it never really came to fruition. (Really, we just liked to say Corey Bojorquez's name as much as possible.)
But this time there is really is going to be a more difficult battle. It could be said that Ryan Allen and his left leg were the Super Bowl LIII MVP, but he will try to keep his position once again after the Patriots have recruited Jake Bailey. The Patriots must really love Bailey because they traded against him in the fifth round in April.
Allen signed a one-year contract a few months ago, so the Patriots could easily switch from the veteran if the rookie arrives and takes it to camp.
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